Bush Predicts GOP Keeps White House
WASHINGTON- President Bush predicted Monday that voters will replace him with a Republican president who will “keep up the fight” in Iraq. “I’m confident we’ll hold the White House in 2008,” Bush told donors at the Republican Governors Association annual dinner, which raised a record $10.6 million for GOP gubernatorial candidates.
“And I don’t want the next Republican president to be lonely,” Bush said. “And that is why we got to take the House, retake the Senate, and make sure our states are governed by Republican governors.”
The pep talk came in the midst of a presidential campaign that largely has overshadowed Bush’s final year in office. Bush has promised to be an active fundraiser, and he had no trouble slipping into enthusiastic campaign mode Monday evening.
He said Republicans still offer the bedrock positions that voters embrace: strong defense, low taxes and personal freedoms.
“When I say I’m confident, I am so because I understand the mentality of the American people,” Bush said. “And I understand the mentality of our candidates. And there’s no question in my mind, with your help, 2008 is going to be a great year.”
Democratic governors have a 28-22 edge nationally, having regained a majority in 2006 after 12 years of GOP dominance. Eleven seats are up this year.
The Republican governors still have the financial edge, with the Republican Governors Association raising $22 million last year, to $13 million for its Democratic counterpart. That includes $9 million cash on hand for the RGA, compared to $7 million for the Democratic Governors Association.
In Congress, Democrats took control of the House and Senate in 2006. Bush has sought to remain relevant through his veto power and bully pulpit.
On Iraq, he pledged Monday that he would use his remaining time in office to make whatever decisions are needed to “make sure that we succeed in Iraq.” The country has long grown weary of the war, although economic concerns have overtaken Iraq as the top concern among voters.
“I believe the American people understand that success in Iraq is necessary for the long-term security of the American people,” Bush said. “And we will elect somebody to the White House who will keep up the fight to make sure Iraq is secure and free.”
Republican governors, as chief executives and effective fundraisers, see themselves as the key to turning around their party.
Four of the last five presidents, including the current one, were governors.
One former Republican governor, Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, remains in the presidential race, but the next president is all but certain to come from the Senate—Republican John McCain, or Democrats Barack Obama or Hillary Rodham Clinton.
About 1,400 people attended the event at the cavernous National Building Museum, where they dined on grilled shrimp, spring rolls, gumbo and crab cakes before filtering into an adjacent room to hear Bush.
(AP)
Be respectful of others and their opinions. Inflammatory remarks and inane leftist drivel will be deleted. It ain’t about free speech, remember you’re in a private domain. My website, my prerogative.
If you can't handle using your real email address, don't bother posting a comment.
bush is the shit, straight-up
February 25th, 2008 at 8:31 pmGWB will be praised like Reagan 20yrs from now. All junior senators get your pictures with him now!
February 25th, 2008 at 8:39 pmHe is my Hero.
February 25th, 2008 at 8:44 pmHe’ll be sorely missed.
Three cheers for Bush!!!
February 25th, 2008 at 9:51 pmBush has been a great President. Forget all the goofy leftys in this country, they find themselves on the wrong side of history yet again. I have never backed down from someone or even a group of people talking shit about George W. Bush. when i hear that kind of stuff i am usually on them like an attack dog.
February 25th, 2008 at 9:53 pmA real person.
February 25th, 2008 at 11:06 pmAnd three trillion dollars later …
“I fully understand those who say you can’t win this thing militarily. That’s exactly what the United States military says, that you can’t win this military.” –George W. Bush, on the need for political progress in Iraq, Washington, D.C., Oct. 17, 2007
“I heard somebody say, ‘Where’s (Nelson) Mandela?’ Well, Mandela’s dead. Because Saddam killed all the Mandelas.” –George W. Bush, on the former South African president, who is still very much alive, Washington, D.C., Sept. 20, 2007
“As John Howard accurately noted when he went to thank the Austrian troops there last year…” –George W. Bush, referring to Australian troops as “Austrian troops,” APEC Business Summit, Sept. 7, 2007
“My job is a job to make decisions. I’m a decision — if the job description were, what do you do — it’s decision maker.” –George W. Bush, Tipp City, Ohio, April 19, 2007
Suiciders are willing to kill innocent life in order to send the projection that this is an impossible mission.” –George W. Busy, Washington, D.C., April 3, 2007
“The solution to Iraq — an Iraq that can govern itself, sustain itself and defend itself — is more than a military mission. Precisely the reason why I sent more troops into Baghdad.” –George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., April 3, 2007
Are you really suggesting there is NO ONE more qualified to be president in America?
February 26th, 2008 at 3:40 amAnd who would your suggestions be? Out of who is running, we don’t have anyone on the Democratic side who is going to help this country. All we have are two nutjobs who are going to tax and spend us to death with their “vision” for this country. Three trillion? Imagine how upset you’ll be in 2009 if a democrat takes office.
And, to the rest of you — I love that man. I agree with STL completely. Twenty years down the road, maybe thirty, history will show the truth.
February 26th, 2008 at 7:02 amWhy are you so concerned with us? I thought the muslims over there would have shut down your internet access by now. dhimmi
February 26th, 2008 at 9:12 amKurt
Dhimmi??
The UK is largely a secular society. Two thirds say they have no religious affiliation at all. Only 2.8% of the total population are Muslim
Careful, don’t let facts disturb your lazy opinions now …
February 26th, 2008 at 9:32 amThe only thing you have pointed out about George Bush is that he is in fact inarticulate.
How much money is worth your freedom?
And thank you for being so concerned for your brothers and sisters across the pond, we are concerned for you too. We don’t want you to have to pray 5 times a day and cover your women up or risk getting your head chopped off.
As far as finding more qaulified people, I’m sure there are plenty of qualified people out there, But there is no way any of them are insane enough to want that responsibilty. The way I see it anyone who wants to be president is crazier then me and I run into burning buildings for a living.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:59 am